Nurturing your inner strength

Searching for meaning and answers to questions is a process that is critical In your personal growth.

Have you ever wondered what constantly makes you wake up each morning and perform the tasks you do? Or why is it that you can face everyday despite the challenges that come with pregnancy? Where does all the energy and hope for the future come from? Well, you do have inner strength that spans your being: mind, soul and body. Most people will agree with me that where physical strength is limited during pregnancy, it is compensated for by inner strength, usually evident in a rare glow that is unique to pregnant women!

Susan A. Orshan in her book, Maternity, Newborn and Women’s Health Nursing: Comprehensive Care Across the Life Span (2006) describes inner strength as having the capacity to build self through a developmental process that positively moves the — person via challenging events. Most pregnant women tend to unknowingly draw on their inner strength despite the general fatigue that accompanies pregnancy.

It is therefore crucial for one to be conscious of inner strength and its significance in building one as a unique individual. Drawing from a gender-specific theory on the inner strength of women propagated by Dingley, Roux and Bush (2000), Orshan states that there are four concepts of inner strength that every woman needs to understand.

Anguish and searching
This concept describes the fear and searching for meaning to process any challenging life event. At this juncture, most expectant mothers seek information on their state and it is important that care-givers provide the much-needed information while at the same time allay any fears that the mothers-to-be may have. In nurturing your inner strength, do not be afraid to ask questions during your next visit to the doctor. Searching for meaning and answers to questions is a process that is critical in your personal growth and you will realize just how much you will grow in that period of pregnancy.

Connectedness
This describes the nurturing of supportive relationships. These are relationships with self, family, friends and God and are usually helpful in continually assuring the period that an expectant mother will seek a spiritual outlet as she realizes that the growing baby within her womb is a precious gift that should be sustained by divine power. In seeking connectedness, you can lay your hands on your growing tummy and gently speak to your baby. The thrill of being a witness to growing life will certainly propel you to valuing relationships with those around you and appreciating the gift of life.

Engagement
This is describes one’s self-determinism. This is where you reframe life circumstances in order to engage with life as a source of strength. There will often emerge a sense of calm as you begin to focus on yourself and prioritize choices that will ensure stability and health not only for your baby but more so for yourself. You will also experience growth of self-belief and a determination to engage in life’s possibilities.

Movement
This describes the dimension of movement, rest, honest appraisal, and balance of mind and body. You will experience greater self-awareness and you will be able to graciously acknowledge who you really are, inadequacies included. As a mother-to-be, take time to appraise yourself, discover who you are, and begin to accept the things you cannot change about yourself while nurturing positive aspects that you have either over-looked or neglected over the years, You should be able to discard the ‘negatives’ t at have been tagged on you over the years by yourself, family or friends. It will amaze you how totally unique you are!

As we join the world in celebrating this year’s International Women’s Day, it is my prayer that we will dedicate the entire month of March to nurturing our inner strength. In turn, I believe each one of us will begin to experience the richness that comes with new activities, healthier relationships and greater sense of purpose.

END: PG20/14-15